clang

1 of 2

verb

clanged; clanging; clangs

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make a loud metallic ringing sound
anvils clanged
b
: to go with a clang
2
: to utter the characteristic harsh cry of a bird

transitive verb

: to cause to clang
clang a bell

clang

2 of 2

noun

1
: a loud ringing metallic sound
the clang of a fire alarm
2
: a harsh cry of a bird (such as a crane or goose)

Examples of clang in a Sentence

Verb His fork clanged against the plate. The prison door clanged shut. The guard clanged the door shut. Noun the horseshoe hit the stake with a satisfying clang
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
There are all sorts of weird noises coming from the lake — like, clanging sounds — and Paris’s dog keeps barking at it for no reason. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024 James McAtee ran on and clanged his finish against the post. Carl Anka, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
Noun
If Noel makes contact, on the other hand, the baseball clangs off the hull of the Goodtime III. Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024 Faster and faster, the drums beat, the cymbals clang, the women chant. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for clang 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin clangere; akin to Greek klazein to scream, bark, Old English hliehhan to laugh

First Known Use

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clang was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near clang

Cite this Entry

“Clang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clang. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

clang

1 of 2 verb
: to make or cause to make a loud ringing sound

clang

2 of 2 noun
: a loud ringing sound like that made by pieces of metal striking together

More from Merriam-Webster on clang

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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